1901
Powers John's Lane Release 12 Year
Single Pot Still — Ireland
Reviewed
August 18, 2018 (edited March 25, 2020)
I previously worked very close to John's Lane, the site of the long-gone Powers distillery in Dublin. In fact I worked on Roe Lane which is the site of the long-gone Roe & Co distillery. That was once one of the largest distilleries in Dublin and now a brand resurrected by Diageo, who also have plans to build a new distillery on their Guinness lot. In any case, while I haven't yet tasted DIageo's new fare, I have enjoyed Midleton's output and this is one of my favourite Irish whiskeys.
A little bit of water brings out the best in this, in my opinion, but it is still damn fine neat. The nose is tiramisu, chocolate, and toffee with a similar smooth taste and the characteristic spiciness of a pot still whiskey.
I first received a miniature bottle of it in an excellent gift pack that included Redbreast 12, Green Spot, and Barry Crockett Legacy. Although not the standout of the four it is one of my go-to drams on an all too rare night out in Dublin. An easy 4 stars - often hitting 4.5 depending on my mood and the quantities imbibed.
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Irish Distillers has unveiled a new bottle and label design for its range of Irish whiskeys, including this John’s Lane, the Gold Label and Three Swallows. What does a change in design typically mean for the value of a bottle, does anyone know? I always have this pot still in my collection- should I hold off opening my current one and get one of the new range?
@Soba45 don't recall that bar but, like you, I fondly recall those times. Coppers is still there and such a famous / infamous institution that a musical has been made of it.
Ah yes. But I got my suburbs mixed up I initially started in Rathmines but then spent most of the time in Ranelagh. Mount Pleasant square.. we drank more often at the bar now known as the Bar Gastro Bar near the river....but then again we drank in a lot of bars a lot :-). Copper Face Jacks I see is still there looking at the map or Slapper Face Jacks I think we called it... good times! I was there when the smoking ban was enacted back in 2004. Ah my 20s...so so long ago :-)
Yes @Soba45, still here. Rathmines is a nice spot - I assume you were a patron of Bowlands? I hail from Galway originally and now call Wicklow my home (but lived in Dublin for a decade). I hope to be toasting a Galway victory today in the All-Ireland hurling final.
Thanks @Scott_E. Do you have a regular go-to for that night cap? Yep, there's a real boom here with loads of startups and new whiskeys and gins hitting the shelves. Teeling are on the verge of releasing their own juice, which will be interesting.
Ah interesting. Do you still live in Ireland? I lived in Rathmines for a few years. Yes great drop, will have to grab another bottle sometime
@1901 Nice review with the sprinkled humor. I love a good Irish Whiskey especially as night cap. Can’t wait until more of these Irish startups start pushing out more.